Now is your chance to help design a program for military parents. The University of Minnesota, together with IRIS Educational Media, is designing a new parenting program for National Guard and Reserve families to assist in reintegration efforts following deployment. And they want input from you.

Parents who have been through a deployment, and have children between ages five and 12 years old are asked to be part of an upcoming Focus Group. The Department of Family Social Science and UMN understand that in order to create a structure that best meets the needs of the National Guard and Reserve families, they need to hear from some that have been through it.

Focus Groups will be held at the University of Minnesota from 6:00-9:00 p.m. on  Nov. 29 and 30.  Each parent participant will receive a small "thank you" gift card of $30 for joining (up to two per family).

The new parent program is scheduled to start in March, and will include in-person groups and online components to support family members.

Call Laurel at 612-626-8135 for more information. Enrollment is limited.

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The Perfect Gift in Passing 

In a tribute to honor individuals that have donated life while inspiring others to do the same, the 2011 Donate Life Rose Parade float will feature a Minnesota native that bravely served his country before and after the end of his short life.

On his third overseas deployment with the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Corporal Ben Kopp sustained a bullet wound to his leg while saving six of his fellow Rangers during a firefight with enemy forces. Doctors were able to surgically repair his leg, but the amount of blood lost was too much for his body to cope with. Ben, 21, died at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., eight days after being wounded.

But his legacy would live on. As an organ donor, Ben provided his heart, liver and kidneys to two individuals in need after his own time had ended. Inspired by his uncle, J.T. Burud, an organ donor who died years before Ben was born, Ben's heart still beats in the chest of Illinois resident Judy Miekle.

Having donated in 2009, Ben will be honored on the Donate Life's float during the Rose Bowl Parade on Saturday, Jan. 1 in Pasadena, California.

Last year's honored donator was also from Minnesota, 1 year-old Jack Van Hecke.  His Mom, Jennifer and step-dad 1^st Lt. Eric Van Hecke, a PA in the Minnesota Army National Guard, attended the parade last year.

About the experience for family members, Jennifer said that it is "an incredible experience, going to the Rose Bowl and decorating the float and florograph. Very emotional. However, an exciting way to pay a tribute to our children no longer physically with us."

Family members of all military branches that are deployed receive fee assistance for full-time child care services through Operation Military Child Care.

The Minnesota Child Care Resource & Referral Network provides leadership and support to a statewide system of non-profit agencies dedicated to helping families find quality child care and supporting child care providers. Contact your local Child Care Resource & Referral agency for information, support and connections to area child care providers.

Call 1-888-291-9811 or visit www.mnchildcare.org.

The main lobby of the Marshall Performing Arts Center had a new look during the run of "South Pacific," at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Veteran organizations lined the hall ready to share information with theatre patrons.

Each of the October performances was dedicated to a local unit, with four free tickets given out each night to members of that unit.  During each performance, one seat was left purposefully open to represent the men and women currently serving overseas - and the wish for them to come home safely to "fill the seat."

Servicemembers that attended the event were excited to be recognized, and the service organizations had a great response from attendees seeking information.  The event was a success for local organizations working to help veterans and for those veterans who were exposed to helpful programs and good theater.